Apple Blossoms

"Spring," also known as Apple Blossoms, is an 1856–59 oil painting by John Everett Millais that exemplifies genre painting with a romanticized depiction of a serene springtime scene. The artwork portrays eight girls enjoying a picnic in an apple orchard during full blossom, their varied poses—standing, kneeling, sitting, and lying—creating a lively yet intimate atmosphere. The reclining girl in yellow gazes directly at the viewer, engaging us in the scene. The painting reflects elements of Romanticism, emphasizing natural beauty and nostalgia while capturing a fleeting moment of idyllic rural life.